Detecting Thyroglobulin mRNA in Blood for Thyroid Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Bojunga J, Röddiger S, Stanisch M, Kusterer K, Kurek R, Renneberg H, Adams S, Lindhorst E, Usadel K H, Schumm-Draeger P M
Primary Institution: Department of Medicine I, JW Goethe-University
Hypothesis
Can the detection of thyroglobulin mRNA in peripheral blood serve as an early indicator of thyroid cancer relapse?
Conclusion
Thyroglobulin mRNA detected in peripheral blood is not a reliable tumor marker compared to serum thyroglobulin levels.
Supporting Evidence
- TG mRNA was detected in 9 out of 13 patients with thyroid cancer and metastasis using normal sensitivity.
- With high sensitivity, TG mRNA was detected in 11 out of 13 patients with thyroid cancer and metastasis.
- TG mRNA was found in 63 out of 137 patients with a history of thyroid cancer and no metastasis using normal sensitivity.
- Using high sensitivity, TG mRNA was detected in 111 out of 137 patients with a history of thyroid cancer and no metastasis.
- TG mRNA was detected in 21 out of 85 patients with non-malignant thyroid disease using normal sensitivity.
- With high sensitivity, TG mRNA was detected in 61 out of 85 patients with non-malignant thyroid disease.
- TG mRNA was detected in 9 out of 50 controls using normal sensitivity.
- With high sensitivity, TG mRNA was detected in 41 out of 50 controls.
Takeaway
Doctors looked for a special marker in the blood of thyroid cancer patients to see if it could help find cancer early, but it turns out it’s not better than the usual tests.
Methodology
Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on blood samples from patients diagnosed with thyroid disease.
Limitations
TG mRNA detected in blood cannot be recommended as a superior tumor marker to serum thyroglobulin levels.
Participant Demographics
Included patients with thyroid cancer, a history of thyroid cancer, non-malignant thyroid disease, and healthy controls.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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